Wichita State University
College of Applied Studies Holds 2024 Hall of Fame Ceremony, Honoring Nine Inductees
Oct. 3, 2024
The College of Applied Studies (CAS) at Wichita State University held its fourth annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on September 27, 2024, at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. The event honored nine exceptional individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions and accomplishments within CAS.
The 2024 inductees include:
Stacy Chestnut, alumni and educator. Chestnut won the 2023 Wichita Public Schools Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award and is a leader in English education both within the district and at the state level.
Chase Curtiss, alumni and entrepreneur. Curtiss is the chief executive officer of Sway Medical and has been recognized as a pioneer in his field, having received the first-ever FDA clearance for a software-only medical device.
Christine Downey-Schmidt, patron and higher education leader. Downey-Schmidt is a retired educator, State Senator, Regent with the Kansas Board of Regents, and Trustee with the Higher Learning Commission.
Cathy Razook-Ellsworth, alumni, educator, and staff member. Ellsworth served as the college’s senior coordinator in Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning as well as a Career Development Specialist for 33 years, facilitating paid applied learning experiences for students in multiple programs. Ellsworth is a former elementary education teacher who taught in Wichita Public Schools for ten and a half years.
Becky Endicott, alumni and staff member. Now retired, Endicott served as Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator in WSU Athletics for more than 20 years, supporting sport programs, gender equity, and academic achievement.
Susan Rippe, alumni and educator. Now a lecturer in the college’s TAP™ program, Rippe is a former middle and secondary science teacher who has been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. She also served as the 2000 Kansas Teacher of the Year and the 2006 Air Force National Teacher of the Year/Christa McAuliffe Award recipient.
Rex Schott, alumni and athletic trainer. Schott is in his 59th year as an athletic trainer, serving athletes ranging from high school-level to WSU Athletics and Olympians in volleyball and gymnastics. He was a faculty member teaching physical education for over 15 years.
Dr. Vicki Worrell, alumni and faculty member. Worrell is a nationally recognized physical education teacher and leader who taught at the elementary level before transitioning to being a PE faculty member at WSU and other institutions.
Credit Union of America, partner. Commonly recognized as the educators’ credit union, CUA has partnered with the college as the lead donor for initiatives such as Teacher Apprentice Program™ Scholarships, CUA’s Teacher Licensure Exam Fee Awards, and Corbin Connect.
The College of Applied Studies Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or groups of individuals who have made significant positive impacts on the college at any point since its founding. This includes the full range of programs that have been associated with the college at various points in its history. The traits and qualities CAS Hall of Fame members possess reflect the college’s core values of collaboration, inclusivity, innovation, leadership, and learning.
Nominations for the CAS Hall of Fame Class of 2025 are now open and can be submitted here.